Thumbs up to responders in Alfred and Biddeford, federal agents and the State Police bomb squad, among others, who worked together Friday, June 25 toward the safe detonation of several pipe bombs created by an Alfred man, Robert W. Infante.

The quick but careful work protected citizens and the staff at Southern Maine Medical Center, and led to the arrest of Infante.

Thumbs up to the Solid Waste Management Commission of Biddeford for looking into a new fee schedule for recyclable materials at the transfer station. Biddeford residents are concerned that those from other towns are taking advantage of the city’s lack of a limit on the amount of waste that residents and property owners can bring in, so the fees need to be reviewed to make sure Biddeford isn’t footing the bill for disposing of other towns’ recyclables.

Thumbs up to all the Kennebunk and Kennebunkport residents who will open their gardens to visitors for the 16th annual “Private Garden Tour of the Kennebunks” on July 17. The tours are a fundraiser for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County, which does important work in helping parents learn positive ways to deal with their children. It’s great for gardeners to have an opportunity to support an important organization while getting ideas for their hobby.

Thumbs down to the abutters of Litchfield’s Bar and Grill in Wells who have complained about the noise there but can’t find the time to attend a board of selectmen’s meeting to address the issue. The restaurant’s bands and DJs have stayed within the limits of the town’s noise ordinance, according to police reports, so the board shouldn’t have to take any action on its special amusement permit. If residents showed up to the meetings, however, they could discuss their concerns with the restaurant owner and manager and perhaps come to an understanding to resolve their issues. Those who just can’t make the meetings should take Litchfield’s up on their offer to meet face to face.

Thumbs up to the Town of Kennebunkport’s decision to ban launching of kayaks from the Cape Porpoise pier. The area is too dangerous and the parking situation too crowded to make it a proper place for kayakers. The selectmen should, however, realize that kayaking is an important tourist draw and should pursue making other arrangements for people to park and put in their boats at other town locations.

Thumbs up to the Goodwins Mills Fire Department and its chief, Rodney Carpenter, for their efforts in obtaining a major grant for an addition and upgrades to the station. The firefighters, with the help of the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, took the initiative to ask for the money and were pleasantly surprised to get it. As Emergency Management Director Bob Bohlmann said, this upgrade to the Lyman/Dayton station will help the rescue personnel to better serve York County residents.

— Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.